The Chamber for Advancement of Small and Medium Businesses (CASMB), in collaboration with the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists India (AFSTI), Chennai Chapter, successfully organized KFC India’s Sahyog Program at Queen Mary’s College, Chennai. Held from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, the day-long initiative brought together leading voices from the food and hospitality sector to strengthen food safety standards, deepen regulatory understanding, and encourage meaningful industry collaborations.

The program commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Aman Gupta, Corporate Affairs National Lead, YUM! Brands India, followed by an introduction of dignitaries by Dr. Umesh Kamble, Secretary, CASMB. The event was graced by distinguished guests including V.K. Pancham, Regional Director, FSSAI (South Zone), who attended as Guest of Honor, and Thiru R. Lalvena, IAS, FDA Commissioner, Government of Tamil Nadu, who served as the Chief Guest. The occasion was further enriched by the presence of eminent academicians and industry leaders, including Sanu Jacob, President of AFSTI Chennai Chapter, Shri Damodaran Nambudiri, Vice President of AFSTI Cochin Chapter, Dr. B. Uma Maheswari, Principal of Queen Mary’s College, and Dr. C. Kalaivani Ashok, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Home Science at Queen Mary’s College.

A key highlight of the program was the FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) session conducted under KFC India’s Sahyog Program, which successfully trained and certified 100 Food Business Operators (FBOs). The session focused on building awareness around food safety protocols, hygiene standards, and compliance with FSSAI regulations, thereby equipping participants with practical knowledge crucial for ensuring safe and quality food practices.

In addition to training, the event also featured business growth and capacity-building sessions aimed at supporting FBOs in scaling their operations, maintaining consistent quality, and navigating regulatory frameworks in the highly competitive food industry.

The Sahyog Program exemplifies KFC India’s ongoing commitment to empowering local food businesses, supporting safe food practices, and driving inclusive growth in the hospitality sector.